My car is on E and no one has any gas

Kinja'd!!! "E90M3" (e90m3)
09/19/2016 at 15:56 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!0 Kinja'd!!! 15
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I was in Nashville for the weekend and I drove back home yesterday. Good thing I filled up on Friday when I got there, cause it seems everyone is out of gas. My car says I have a range of about 40 miles, which I’m assuming is very optimistic, and putting 87 in the car doesn’t seem like a good idea, so I guess I’m stuck at home until this gas crisis goes away. I’m missing the fuel efficiency of my 1.


DISCUSSION (15)


Kinja'd!!! Montalvo > E90M3
09/19/2016 at 15:59

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You can put 87 in and the management system will make adjustments to run however I only recommend putting the bare minimum for you go get somewhere where they do have the recommended octane.


Kinja'd!!! Tekamul > E90M3
09/19/2016 at 16:00

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87 is fine as long as you commit to stay out of the go pedal. It’s probably going to be a while before the premium is flowing again.


Kinja'd!!! Ash78, voting early and often > Montalvo
09/19/2016 at 16:00

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#firstworldsolutions


Kinja'd!!! TheRealBicycleBuck > E90M3
09/19/2016 at 16:11

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Perhaps a fill-up with 87 and a bottle of octane booster?

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Textured Soy Protein > E90M3
09/19/2016 at 16:16

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So, most octane boosters aren’t really much of any real boost, but there are a couple like Royal Purple Max-Boost and VP Octanium that will actually raise your octane somewhat.

Some but not all AutoZone stores carry the VP Octanium, it’s $22 for a 32 oz bottle. You can check stock status of local stores here .

Adding a bottle of the stuff to each tank of 87 until you can get 93 will make for some expensive fill-ups but hey at least you’ll have gas.


Kinja'd!!! petebmwm > E90M3
09/19/2016 at 16:20

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here ya go.....

http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/misc/…


Kinja'd!!! petebmwm > E90M3
09/19/2016 at 16:21

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Richard Lassiter’s “How to Mix Your Own Brew”

FORMULA 1
Toulene
R+M/2...114
Cost...$2.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.2 Octane
20%...96.4 Octane
30%...98.6 Octane
Notes: Common ingredient in Octane Boosters in a can. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, I.e. from 92 to 92.3. Often costs $3-5 for 12-16 ounces, when it can be purchased for less than $3/gal at chemical supply houses or paint stores.

FORMULA 2
Xylene
R+M/2...117
Cost...$2.75/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.5 Octane
20%...97.0 Octane
30%...99.5 Octane
Notes: Similar to Toulene. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, I.e. from 92 to 92.3. Usually mixed with Toulene and advertised as *race formula*.

FORMULA 3
Methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE)
R+M/2...118
Cost...$3.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.6 Octane
20%...97.2 Octane
30%...99.8 Octane
Notes: Oxygenate. Very common in octane booster products. Has lower BTU content than toulene or xylene, but oxygenate effect makes the gasoline burn better and produce more energy.

FORMULA 4
Methanol or Ethanol
R+M/2...101
Cost...$0.60 - $1.75/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.3 Octane (Methanol)
10%...94.7 Octane (Ethanol)
20%...Not Recommended
Notes: Methanol is wood alcohol. Ethanol is grain alcohol and found in Gasohol in 10% ratios. Both alcohols are mildly corrosive and will eat gas tank linings, rubber and aluminum if used in excessive ratios. Main ingredient in “Gas Dryers”, combines with water.

FORMULA 5
Isopropyl Alcohol and Tertiary Butyl Alcohol
R+M/2...101
Cost...$0.60-$1.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.5 Octane
20%...Not Recommended
30%...Not Recommended
Notes: Similar to Methanol/Ethanol. Isopropyl Alcohol is simply rubbing alcohol.

MAKE YOUR OWN OCTANE BOOST

How to make your own octane booster (this is the basic formula of one of the popular octane booster products). To make eight 16 ounce bottles (128 oz = 1 gal):

100 oz of toulene for octane boost
25 oz of mineral spirits (cleaning agent)
3 oz of transmission fluid (lubricating agent)

This product is advertised as “octane booster with cleaning agent *and* lubricating agent!”. Diesel fuel or kerosene can be substituted for mineral spirits and light turbine oil can be substituted for transmission fluid. Color can be added with petroleum dyes.

Disclaimer: this intellectual property is offered to GN/TType owners at no charge. Use it at your own risk. The GN/TType Organization is is not responsible for any damage or problems associated with use of this information. This information is for use by GN/TType owners on their own personal vehicles and may not be used for profit.


Kinja'd!!! Batman the Horse > E90M3
09/19/2016 at 16:23

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Speaking of which, California doesn’t even sell 93 octane so my car loses around 2-3hp when I am FORCED to run 91 octane. The struggle is real!!


Kinja'd!!! The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Batman the Horse
09/19/2016 at 16:31

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Same here in Ontario (Canada). I've only ever seen 93 once and it was sold close to a race track. Luckly my car runs perfect on 91.


Kinja'd!!! WRXasaurus > E90M3
09/19/2016 at 16:37

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I never see 93 anywhere so 91 is what I use in my WRX. Guess I’m just saying I’m jealous that’s even a problem for you.


Kinja'd!!! bhtooefr > E90M3
09/19/2016 at 16:39

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What is the car?


Kinja'd!!! PotbellyJoe and 42 others > E90M3
09/19/2016 at 16:42

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You have an E90, right? It has a knock sensor. It will pull timing on lower octane fuel. Do not fear the lower octane, just be willing to deal with worse gas mileage and lower HP until you put the good stuff in it again.

I could get stupid scientific about how it works, but basically, it just pours in extra fuel to make sure the ignition sequence burns long enough to not be a problem.


Kinja'd!!! petebmwm > bhtooefr
09/19/2016 at 17:46

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e90 m3


Kinja'd!!! bhtooefr > petebmwm
09/19/2016 at 18:45

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Just run 87 and drive gently.


Kinja'd!!! facw > PotbellyJoe and 42 others
09/19/2016 at 18:49

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Yep, the car will adjust the lower grade of fuel, but performance will suffer. It shouldn’t knock or otherwise damage the engine though.